Although there are a number of complex political, economic, and ecological issues at the root of world hunger, a number of myths have been perpetuated to explain why hunger exists. One myth says that people are hungry because of scarcity; in fact, hunger exists in the face of plenty. The earth is producing more than enough to nourish every human being, both on a global level and even within the very countries associated with hunger and starvation. Another myth says that hunger results from overpopulation and that there are just too many people for food-producing resources to sustain. If too many people caused hunger, the most hunger would be found in countries having the most people for each cropped acre, yet no such pattern is found. For example, China has only half the cultivated acreage for each person that India has, yet in 20 years the Chinese people succeeded in eliminating visible hunger while many Indians still go hungry. The publication concludes with a list of specific tasks to help people take control of food-producing resources and feed themselves. A bibliography is included. (RM)